THEATRICAL ROMANCE

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XXV, Issue 232, 17 September 1935, Page 9

THEATRICAL ROMANCE

Ritchard—Elliott Wedding HONEYMOON IN DOMINION By Telegraph—Press Assn.-Copyright SYDNEY, Sept. 16. Extraordinary interest was displayed to-day in the wedding of Mr Cyril Ritchard and Miss Madge Elliott at St. Mary’s Basilica, and a huge crowd of women and a gallery of girls waited outside the cathedral for a glimpse of the popular theatrical stars, who were cheered to the echo. Father W. J. Hurley officiated.

Madge waved to the multitude from the steps of the cathedral as a strong wind swirled about her, entangling her in the folds of the rich old ivory gown.

Fifty policemen had the unenviable task of keeping the people back, preventing disorganisation of city traffic. Only a privileged group saw the actual marriage ceremony, including the parents, prominent society folk and close theatrical friends of Mr. Ritchard and Miss Elliott. Mr. Gregory Ritchard, bi ther of the bridegroom, was best man and Mr Harry Wotton, of Adelaide, groomsman. Miss Winnie Tait, of Sydney, was bridesmaid and Mrs lan Sargood, of Melbourne, matron of honour. Four small attendants, nieces of the bride, completed the bridal retinue.

Blue was the predominant colour scheme at the wedding. Cyril and Madge will -spend their honeymoon in New Zealand. They are sailing by the Monterey on September 18,

Mr Cyril Ritchard and Miss Madge Elliott are well known in New Zealand, where they have appeared on numerous occasions in musical productions sponsored by the J. C. Williamson firm. They are accomplished dancers and their acting ability has also been successfully tested, not only in the Dominions, but in London. Mr Ritchard was born in Sydney on December 1, 1898. He was a medical student at Sydney University, but in 1917 he entered upon a stage career, making his first appearance in the chorus in “A Waltz Dream,’’ at His Majesty’s, Sydney, in December of that year. Three' months later he was promoted to juvenile lead and light comedy parts and was continuously engaged with J. C. Williamsons until the end of 1924, when he went to America. . In the following year he and Miss Elliott went to London, where Mr Ritchard made his first appearance on June 29 in “Bubbly’’ at tho Duke of York’s Theatre. After that he had many successful engagements. Miss Elliott, who was born in May, 1898, in Kensington, London, made her first appearance on the stage in 1912 at His Majesty’s Theatre, Sydney, in the ballet during a Melba grand opera season. Later she played and danced in light Opera and musical comedy in Australia and New Zealand. She returned to England in 1925 and appeared in “Bubbly” with Mr Ritchard, and also in several other productions subsequently. She and Mr Ritchard liar e been back in Australia for some time. They were seen together in New Zealand two or three years ago in “Blue Roses.”